Spotting apparatus



. 2, 1952 J. F. FINK SPOTTING` APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1s. 1947 Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE Claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the combined aD- paratus including the improved spotting gun;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the spotting gun;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle.

Referring in detail to the drawings, reference letter A denotes a spotting board, which may be of conventional form and which is ordinarily equipped with a steam supply line B having a control valve C actuated by means of a treadle the operator, who uses the gun for directing with the spotting board and accessible to the foot of the operator. Cleaning fluids, such as liquid soap, chemical cleaning fluids, water or the like, are generally supplied from separate sources so that the operator must lay down the spotting gun and separately apply the cleaning fluid.

Various means have been proposed for remedying this defect so that both the cleaning and pressure fluids may be applied through a single nozzle. In one such device the cleaning fluid is supplied to the pressure fluid line at a point far removed from the spotting gun. In such case the line becomes filled with the cleaning fluid and when it is desired to apply steam alone it requires a considerable amount of time before the line has cleared of the cleaning fluid and clean steam or other pressure fluid emerges from the nozzle of the spotting gun.

Other devices intended for the same general purpose have proved unsatisfactory from the commercial standpoint and have not generally replaced the old practice of applying cleaning fluid and pressure fluid through separate instrumentalities.

The primary object of the present invention is accordingly to provide improved means for selectively applying pressure uid alone or pressure fluid and cleaning fluid together, or for applying the cleaning fluid alone, in which device the disadvantages attendant upon previous attempts to supply pressure fluid and cleaning fluid through the same pipe line and/or nozzle l are overcome.

The invention Will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, in which are set forth illustrative embodiments of the invention.

D accessible to the foot of the operator. The steam supply line B is connected through a ilexible tube E with a spotting gun G which is accessible to the hand of the operator, and which in the present device includes various improvements characterizing the invention.

The spotting gun G comprises a two-part wooden handle I0 split longitudinally and releasably held together with resilient spring rings I I, II fitting in grooves I2, one at each end of the wooden handle. The wooden handle I Il is recessed at each end I3 to t over spacing collars I4, III which are suitably secured as by Welding, soldering or the like, to a pair of metal tubes I5 and I6, the one being connected to the pressure line E and the other being connected to a flexible tube I1 through which cleaning fluid is received from a suitable source of supply I 8 preferably elevated above the level of the spotting board.

The pipes I5 and I6 within the wooden handle I0 are preferably insulated from each other by coverings of asbestos or the like I9 to prevent undue heating and consequent vaporizing of the cleaning fluid, with resulting back pressure through the line I'I tothe supply tank I8, which is preferably connected through a Siphon 20 to the line I'I. A flexible sleeve 2| of rubber or the like may be slipped over the wooden handle I0 after the parts are assembled. While the handle I0 is preferably of wood, other suitable insulating material may be employed, as, for example, various synthetics such as plastics or the like.

The pipes I5 and I6 carrying the pressure iluid and cleaning fluid, respectively, lead to the spotting nozzle` G. This nozzle comprises an outer casing 25 to which the ends of both tubes I5 and I6 are secured as by welding, soldering or the like. The nozzle G includes an outer chamber 26 with which the pressure iluid line I5 communicates, and an inner chamber or passageway 21 through which cleaning iluid may be supplied through the line I6. The casing 25 is closed at the top by means of a cap 28 threaded thereon. The passage 21 is controlled by reciprocating valve member 29 having an operating handle 3U pivoted at 3l to the top of the valve, and pivoted at 32 to a link 33 which in turn is pivotally mounted between the pipes I and I6 intermediate the wooden handle l0 and the nozzle G. A spring 34 tends to hold the valve 28 normally closed. A thumbpiece 35 projects rearwardly from the valve handle over the wooden spotting handle I0 so as to be readily accessible to the operator grasping the handle lll, leaving his other hand free at all times. In operation pressure fluid may be supplied through the nozzle G and chamber 26 surrounding the inner passage 21 and through an elongated space 40 surrounding an elongated mouth portion 4l of the inner tube 21.

To supply cleaning fluid as well as pressure lluid the operator presses upon the thumbpiece while grasping the handle I6, thereby opening the valve 29 while at the same time stepping upon the treadle D to supply pressure fluid through the outer space 26, thereby creating a vacuum which draws cleaning fluid to the nozzle G from the source I8 through siphon 2t), line l1, pipe i6 and inner tube 21. After flow through the line l1 has commenced the cleaning iluid may then bersupplied by gravity alone from the elevated supply tank iS without supplying pressure fluid 9 at the same time. This operati-on is often desirable when a small amount of liquid cleaning fluid is needed without the simultaneous application of pressure.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but it will be apparent that numerous modiications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention in its broadest aspects. For example, while steam is ordinarily preferred as the pressure uid for some purposes compressed air, either heated or not, may be employed either in addition to the steam or as a substitute therefor. Moreover, while liquid soap is ordinarily the preferred cleaning fluid other cleaning uids may be substituted in whole or in part, and even Water may be employed in some instances. Other modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a cleaning system, including a spotting board equipped with a pedal-controlled valved pressure iiuid line leading to a spotting gun for supplying heated pressure iiuid thereto, the improvement wherein the spotting gun includes an insulating handle enclosing a pair of separate pipes, one communicating with the hot pressure iiuid line, and the other communicating with a source of cleaning uid, and a nozzle portion beyond and spaced from the handle portion and including an outer passage communicating directly with the fluid pressure pipe at all times and an inner passage connected with the cleaning uid pipe line; valve means within the gun for controlling said inner passage independent of the pressure fluid, and valve actuating means therefor including a thumbpiece accessible to the hand of the operator while grasping said insulating handle.

2. A cleaning system as set forth in claim l, wherein the nozzle outlet of said outer passage surrounds the outlet of the inner passage, whereby when both uid lines are opened the pressure fluid serves to draw the cleaning iiuid through the inner passage to initiate its flow.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the cleaning uid supplied through the axial passage of the nozzle is liquid, and the source thereof is elevated above the spotting board and is connected to the spotting gun through a siphon and a flexible hose portion, whereby after the flow of cleaning fluid is initiated by the flow of pressure fluid from the nozzle, said liquid cleaning uid will continue to ow by gravity independent of the pressure iluid.

4. In a cleaning system, a pressure supply line, pedal means controlling said pressure supply line, a source of cleaning fluid, a spotting gun including an elongated insulating handle having spaced pipes extending therethrough each communicating at one end with a spotting nozzle, and connected at the other end with the pedal-controlled pressure supply line and with the source of cleaning iiuid, respectively, said nozzle including an outer passage freely communicating with the pipe connected to the pressure supply line, a valved inner passage communicating with the pipe connected with the source of cleaning fluid, and valve means controlling said inner passage and having an operating member provided with a thumbpiece accessible to the hand of an operator while grasping said insulating handle.

5. In a cleaning system, a pressure supply line for hot pressure uid, pedal means controlling said line, a source of liquid cleaning uid, a spotting gun including an elongated insulating handle having spaced pipes extending therethrough each communicating at one end with a spotting nozzle, and connected at the other end with the pedal-controlled pressure supply line and with the source of cleaning fluid, respectively, said nozzle including an outer passage freely communicating with the pipe connected to the hot pressure fluid supply line, and an inner passage communicating with the pipe connected with the source of liquid cleaning fluid, and valve means controlling said inner passage and having a pivoted operating member provided with a thumbpiece accessible to the hand of an operator while grasping said insulating handle.

6. In a cleaning system, in combination with a spotting board, a spotting gun, a fluid pressure line communicating with the gun and including a flexible hose portion adjacent the gun, and pedal controlled valve means for said fluid pressure line remote from the gun but accessible to the foot of an operator at said spotting board; the improvement wherein a cleaning fluid line communicates with the gun for supplying cleaning uid thereto independent of the fluid pressure line, said cleaning iiuid line also including a flexible hose portion and valve means at the gun accessible to the hand of an operator holding the gun for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the spotting board.

'7. In a cleaning system, including a spotting gun, a spotting board equipped with a pressure fluid line leading to the spotting gun, and pedal actuated valve means accessible to the foot of an operator at the spotting board for controlling the fluid pressure line; the improvement wherein the spotting gun comprises an insulating handle enclosing a pair of separate pipes both connected to flexible hose to permit free movement of the spotting gun, one connected to the pressure fluid line and the other communicating with a source of cleaning duid, gun including a mixing nozzle having an axial passage connected with the cleaning iluid pipe line, an outer passage surrounding the axial passage and freely communicating with the pedal controlled pressure fluid line, valve means controlling the axial cleaning uid passage and valve actuating means therefor including a thumbpiece accessible to the hand of the operator while grasping the insulating handle, thereby permitting the operator to supply pressure iluid, cleaning fluid, or both, to the spotting board from a single spotting gun while leaving one hand of the operator free.

8. In a cleaning system, a spotting board, a spotting gun for use in connection therewith, a line for supplying hot pressure iluid, including a flexible hose portion communicating with the gun, and pedal controlled valve means remote from the gun but accessible to the foot of an operator at said spotting board for controlling said pressure fluid through said line, a separate source of liquid cleaning fluid located at a level above the level of the spotting board, and a line connecting said source with said spotting gun, including a siphon adjacent the source to prevent premature ilow of liquid cleaning fluid, and a flexible hose portion connected to said gun, said gun comprising a heat insulating handle enclosing a pair of separate pipes, one pipe connected to one of said flexible hose portions and the other pipe connected to the other of said ilexible hose portions, said gun also including a mixing and discharge nozzle adjacent the handle and having an axial passage connected to the cleaning fluid supply line, an outer passage surrounding the axial passage and freely communicating with the pedal controlled pressure fluid supply line, valve means controlling said axial cleaning fluid passage, and valve actuating means therefor including a thumbpiece accessible to the hand of the operator While grasping the insulating handle, the outlet for said pressure fluid surrounding the outlet for said liquid cleaning iluid whereby on initially operating the pedal and thumbpiece the pressure fluid serves to draw liquid cleaning fluid from said elevated supply source past said siphon, after Which the cleaning uid may be supplied by gravity alone.

9. A spotting gun including an elongated separable two-part insulating handle portion, separate steam and cleaning liquid supply lines passing longitudinally through the handle and connected at one end With a source of steam and of cleaning liquid, respectively, a mixing nozzle communicating with the other ends of said supply lines and adapted to supply iluid to articles to be cleaned, and solid heat insulating means independent of the handle separating the steam supply line and the cleaning liquid line within the handle to prevent undue heating and consequent vaporization of the cleaning liquid by contact with the steam supply line, valve means in said nozzle controlling the ilow of cleaning fluid therethrough, operating means for said valve means, accessible to the hand of an operator while grasping said handle, and remote pedal actuated valve means for controlling 'the steam supply pipe line.

10. A spotting gun including a heat insulating handle portion, separate steam and moisture supply lines passing through the insulating handle and connected at one end with a source of steam and of cleaning uid, respectively, said supply lines each including a exible hose portion leading to the handle, lpedal controlled means for the steam supply line located at a position accessible to the foot of an operator but remote from the handle portion, a mixing nozzle communicating with the supply lines at the opposite end of the handle from the hose portions and adapted to supply fluid to articles to be cleaned, and valve means associated with said mixing nozzle accessible to the hand of an operator grasping the handle for controlling the cleaning iluid supply therethrough.

JOHN F. FINK.

l REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kezer July 13, 1909 Wagner July 22, 1913 Griswold June l5, 1915 Nyquist May 20, 1919 Early Apr. 22, 1924 Wade Nov. 25, 1924 Gunther May 18, 1926 McGee Feb. 7, 1928 Crickmer Dec. 9, 1930 Kelley Feb. 5, 1935 Riebel Oct. 27, 1936 Morken Sept. 26, 1939 Whisenhunt Oct. 29, 1940 Goodwin Apr. 14, 1942 Damme et al Feb. 1, 1944 Stockdale Mar. 4, 1947 Castol July 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 23, 1897 France Aug. 2, 1910 France Jan. 10, 1924 Number Number 

